The Augeian stables, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, June 3, 1872
Original title: The Augeian stables, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, June 3, 1872
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's lithograph 'The Augean Stables' from 3 June 1872 shows a sturdy figure with a broom and shovel, surrounded by scattered scraps of text. The print appeared in Le Charivari and was conceived as a satirical comment on the political situation after the Franco-Prussian War.
Description
A muscular figure dominates the image: in his right hand he holds a straw broom, in his left a shovel or spade. He wears a simple shirt and trousers, the latter partly obscured by the broom. The ground remains dark and undefined; across the floor are strewn remnants of writing with words such as 'Marchés', 'Comptes' and 'Marchés de l'Empire', which allude to social and political matters. The arrangement feels restless, the figure in the foreground, the texts piled behind him.
Context
The lithograph was published on 3 June 1872 in the satirical journal Le Charivari, known for its political caricatures. Daumier uses the myth of the Augean stables as a parable for the unfinished business of the Third Republic after the Franco-Prussian War. The text fragments like 'Marchés' and 'Comptes' point to economic and political scandals. The sheet belongs to the series 'News of the day', with which Daumier commented on current events.
Impact
The contrast between the powerful figure and the tangled carpet of text gives the print its force. The satirical imagery prompts reflection on political abuses without being didactic. Through its restless arrangement, the caricature gains a timeless immediacy.
Technique
Lithography on newsprint, second state of two (Delteil). The process allows for fine lines and shading, used here to caricatural effect. The black-and-white reproduction emphasizes the documentary and satirical character of the sheet.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)